WCA November 2015

16 / 64

14 Wire & Cable ASIA – November/December 2015
Industrynews
THE Machines of Switzerland has supplied several
automated and continuous operating production plants for
OPGW applications.
The full supply scope covers a wide range of precision
formed and welded metal tubes with optical fibres, like
FIST, which are integrated into a number of different end
products such as OPGW, OPPC and fibre optic submarine
cables.
The company has recently received an order for a complete
production plant to produce fibre optic submarine cables with
a non-stop and error-free production length of up to 240km.
One line produces the inner FIST (Fibre in Steel Tube) and a
second line applies a laser welded copper tube around the
armouring including a start/stop welding system.
The precision micro tubes with optical fibres are specified in
many different diameters, wall thicknesses and with
many different numbers of fibres. The fibre excess length
in the precision micro-tube is controlled and adjusted to
suit the application.
The lines are equipped with tape feeding (pay-offs), laser
cross welding and tape accumulator for full continuous
and non-stop operation.
The lines are equipped with high precision tension
controlled multi-fibre pay off stations. Down-stream
operations complete the solution.
THE Machines – Switzerland
Website:
Multiple orders for THE Machines
❍ Welding and forming machine from THE Machines
African connections
AllAfrica reports that Tanzania has finalised the construction
of its national ICT broadband backbone (NICTBB).
The 20,000km network covers all regions of Tanzania’s
mainland, and offers connectivity to three international
submarine cables: Eastern Africa submarine system
(EASSy); SEACOM; and Seychelles to East Africa system
(SEAS). It also provides cross-border connectivity to Kenya,
Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Burundi and Zambia.
TeleGeography notes that the network is managed and
operated by the government through the incumbent
telecoms operator Tanzania Telecommunications Company
Ltd (TTCL). Liquid Telecom CEO Nic Rudnick said that
following the deployment of the ICT broadband backbone,
his company will begin routing capacity from Tanzania.
NICTBB – Tanzania Website: